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Browsing Category " $$$$$ (top-end) "

Kahyangan (Shabu-Shabu Restaurant)

By Tibs →
  Kahyangan has to be one of the most expensive Asian restaurants in Jakarta. It is part of Pullman Hotel, near the Hotel Indonesia roundabout. I read a few reviews on internet about this place, but I imagine the journalists didn't actually pay for their meals. If you eat there for free, it is a great place indeed. You have an incredible view over Jakarta, attentive staff (though they can be pushy to make you order more) and stylish design. Bring a date here and she should be really impressed.

The Sexy Pool at 1001 Hotel

By Tibs →
The Pool @1001 is a new concept developed by the Alexis Group . It is located in the same building as Colosseum nightclub . Only male clients are allowed in the pool area, where you have sexy dancers and bikini shows by swimsuit hostesses. You can watch them from private cabanas and you can also invite them to spend time with you. It is not a totally new concept as it already exists in Malioboro . The only difference is that in those places, you will see the girls only once or twice at certain times, on certain days. The Pool @ 1001 promises almost non-stop performances and activities.

Léon Restaurant and Goldstein Bar (Jakarta)

By Tibs →
Léon Restaurant and its speakeasy bar Goldstein are both located in the same building on Jalan Wijaya in South Jakarta (previously occupied by Nine Muses). As of 2017, they are among the trendiest nightlife venues in the capital, attracting the local elite, celebrities, models, etc. One advice if you go: Dress well and be prepared to be surrounded by hoards of beautiful people. One reason it is so popular is because this is where the Anies-Sandiaga team celebrated their victory over Ahok-Djarot in the 2017 Gubernatorial Election. They threw a free-flow alcohol party that was mocked on social media, considering Anies had won the race by playing the devout Muslim card.

Malioboro Executive Club and Spa

By The Jakarta Team →
Famous complex with Malio Club, a karaoke and a spa, just across the street from  Grand Mercure Hotel on Jalan Hayam Wuruk. Opening Hours: Every day, from 11am until late (3am usually) Malioboro Hotel & Spa Jakarta Jalan Gadjah Madah No. 13 Telephone. +62-21 638 50000

Monty's Restaurant and Whisky Bar (Senopati)

By Tibs →
Monty's is one of the hippest and most exclusive venues in Jakarta at the moment. The day I visited, you had 1 Ferrari, 1 Lamborghini, 2 Porsches, 2 Jaguars and several nice sports cars parked just in front. That should give you an idea of the crowd. It was opened by Klabo , the same group behind Nip & Dram and Ivy Kitchen. From what I've heard, the owner of Blue Bird Taxis is one of the shareholders.  The Restaurant On the first two floors is a restaurant serving classic European food. They have all the priciest ingredients that you can possibly import in Indonesia such as caviar, lobster, truffle, charcuterie, cheese or wagyu beef. There also serve several organic and healthy dishes. The kitchen is headed by a Norwegian expat who previously worked in Grand Hyatt as an executive sous-chef. The price is rather expensive: On average for a 2-course meal you'll spend at least Rp500,000 (without alcohol). You can try it for lunch as they have a

PROOF (The Maj Senayan - Jakarta)

By Tibs →
Update 2021 : Proof is currently closed due to COVID-19. You may want to check their Instagram page below for any updates about their reopening date. Proof is a high-end lounge located in the main building of the Senayan Golf Club (the Maj), about 200m after Senayan City and on the opposite side of Plaza Senayan. I visited on a Friday night and it was busy with a wealthy crowd. I recognized several socialites and at least one heir from one of Indonesia's richest families. There was also a Rolls Royce and a Lamborghini parked outside if you need a better idea of who goes there. People were almost all between 30-50 except for  a few very hot-looking girls in their early 20s.

21 Best Weekend Brunches in Jakarta

By Tibs →
Sunday or Saturday brunches in Jakarta are one of the best things you can do here during the weekend. The prices are usually very reasonable without alcohol, starting 30$ per person. I only listed here information about the weekend brunches available in luxury hotels. You also have many brunches served in independent restaurants, but they generally do not have as much choice and they are not served as buffets. You can try those in Loewy or Koi for instance. This is the list of the best weekend brunches in Jakarta, ranked in no particular order. Please leave a comment below if you think I forgot a great address.

Artoz Whisky and Cognac Bar (Jakarta)

By Tibs →
Artoz is a whisky bar/lounge located in the Energy Building in SCBD. It replaced Marley's Bar which closed down a while ago. It claims to be the largest collection of Whisky and Cognac in Jakarta, but I am not sure it is true as I believe there is quite an extensive spirit menu in Nip & Dram as well. I visited Artoz during Ramadan, probably not the best time to do so and unsurprisingly it was empty. Artoz is similar with Nip and Dram actually, both in terms of concept, size and setting: You have comfortable leather sofas and chairs spread across a windowless room, with a bar on on side and a live music stage on the other one. The main difference I saw is that Artoz is not as dark and it seems they don't have those crazy minimum spend amounts. The prices are pretty steep still, about USD15 for a standard cocktail. You are also given the menu of the French Restaurant  Amuz , which belong to the same person (Chef Gilles Marx, also behind Auroz).

L'Avenue Restaurant (The Hermitage Hotel)

By Nyoman →
L'Avenue is the main restaurant of The Hermitage Hotel , a new 5-Star Boutique hotel in Menteng, located steps away from the antique market of Jalan Surabaya. The hotel was built in a historical colonial building, and they tried to reflect this heritage in the design of the restaurant. It is classic, full of marble from the floor to the buffet tables. The feeling of exclusivity is reinforced by the small size of the place, only 60 pax at most. At the time of opening, the Executive Chef of L'Avenue,  Chef Guillermo Varela Mata,  was Spanish (with origins from South America). He created a menu with a strong French influence. I had the Chicken Breast with Gratin Dauphinois (potatoes with cream and cheese). It is a dish from Southern France that I've eaten a hundred times in my life. The one in L'Avenue was not as good as the one my Grandmother makes, but still very tasty! The portions were too small for my appetite though. There is also a buffet where y

Bengawan Restaurant @ Keraton at the Plaza Hotel

By Nyoman →
If you are a Mexican food lover, you can read my review of my favorite Spanish and Mexican places in Jakarta. Keraton at the Plaza in Jakarta might be one of the most luxurious and elegant hotels in the city, along with The Hermitage , The Kempinski, The Mandarin Oriental or The Ritz-Carlton.  They have a buffet with fine cheeses, fresh oysters, and a wide variety of meat. But I came here to taste their "Modern Mexican kitchen". It is a special Mexican menu designed by a friendly Mexican chef (see picture above), struggling everyday to get Mexican products in his kitchen in Jakarta.

Chicory Patisserie (Menteng)

By Nyoman →
I discovered Chicory Cake Shop & Café randomly while heading to Kuningan from my home. Located on Jalan Sumenep, in the heart of Menteng, they serve a whole range of European pastries: Tarts, croissants, almond combs, choux and financiers.  Decorated in an old-fashioned way with wooden bistro tables and chair, it really looks like a tiny "salon de thé" as we have in France. The Pastry Chef is an Australian and he is the one who makes all the pastries everyday. Chicory is surfing on the trend of the French Bakeries and Café recently opened in Jakarta like Paul Bakery in Pacific Place Mall or Eric Kayser in Plaza Senayan. This place is different as it is not a franchise. The quality standards are just as high in my opinion, just like the ones you could get in Europe or in other 5-star hotels in Jakarta. The price is a bit high though, around Rp50,000 for a pastry. Overall: Chicory is a recommended neighborhood pastry shop. It is great for meeting a close fr

Huize van Wely (The Papilion building, Kemang)

By Nyoman →
Huize van Wely is a Dutch Restaurant, Patissier and Chocolatier located in Kemang. This upscale restaurant is located in the Papilion building, the famous glass building on Kemang Raya. This type of architecture is quite uncommon in Jakarta, that is why I wanted to try this restaurant. On the top floor of this building you will find Shy Rooftop & restaurant ( you can check my review here ). Outstanding glass building, fancy Dutch restaurant, European-style cuisine...this place is very fancy ! This is not a regular place to hang out with your buddies...It would more suitable to make a proposal or to have a serious conversation. In this very chic decor, I tried to order some food and I was not disappointed. First they give you a small piece of French bread along with salted butter, which is a very sweet attention. Then I did not wait too long to taste my spicy quesadillas and that was very good. But the best part in my opinion in the dessert and chocolate area.